The Boomers qualified for the second phase of the FIBA World Championship after a comfortable 109-89 victory over hosts Japan in Okinawa.
In front of a packed crowd cheering for their team, the Boomers produced a commanding result to eliminate Japan in their all-winner match.
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After surprising defeat to Germany in their last start, the Boomers were dominant against Japan and led from start to finish.
An eight-point lead at quarter time expanded to 22 at half-time and although Japan held a 14-4 lead at the end of the third quarter that brought the crowd alive and reduced the deficit to 17, Australia trumped to ever in one World Cup game score.
It was also the first time two Australians had double-doubles in a World Cup or Olympic game, according to John Casey, with Josh Giddey recording 26 points, five rebounds and 11 assists, while Xavier Cooks had 24 points and 16 rebounds, among them 10 offensive boards.
Trevor Gleeson, five-time NBL coach of the Perth Wildcats, praised Giddey on ESPN.
“Josh Giddey was top notch,” Gleeson said.
“He was sensational in the last two or three minutes.”
Patty Mills, on whom Australia had relied heavily on offense so far in the tournament, had just 11 points with nine assists as other stars took the lead.
Josh Green, starting this tournament for the first time in place of Matisse Thybulle, scored 15 points while Nick Kay scored 13 points.
Japan's Joshua Hawkinson played for Japan and scored 33 points while Yuta Watanabe had 24.
The victory prepares an exciting duel against Slovenia and NBA superstar Luka Doncic.
This comes two years after the Boomers defeated Slovenia in the bronze medal game, which helped Australia win its first men's medal at a major tournament.
After losing a game to Germany and the top two teams progressing, the Boomers will need to remain undefeated to secure a place in the Quarterfinals.
“This is the World Cup – nothing is handed to us on a silver platter,” Mills said.
“Everyone will do their best, we know it will be difficult. We welcome this pressure.”
The win also puts pressure on New Zealand as Oceania's Tall Blacks and Boomers battle it out for the automatic qualifier.
The best placed team from Oceania will win the place and if New Zealand lose to Greece tomorrow, Australia would have taken their place to Paris.
